Power device.



L. O. KURTZHALS.

POWER DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED 0cT.24. 1914.

1., 173,667. Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET l.

LO. KURTZHH LS wflmmo a Ronni;

L. 0. KURTZHALS.

POWER DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 24, 1914. 1,178,667, Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

LOLKURTZHA LS pns'rnn o. Kun'rZnALs, or oorieern, WISCONSIN.

POWER DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

, Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

Application f led October 24, 1914. Serial No. 868,443.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LESTER O. KURTZHALS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Colgate, in the county of Vashington and State of lVisconsin, have invented certain new anu useful Improvements in Power Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in power devices, and the object of the invention is to provide a device of this general character having novel and improved means whereby the same may be employed in connection with a rotatable element whereby the same may be rotated continuously with changing speeds.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved power device whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device is rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use. all as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of the invention will be carefully defined in the appended claim.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a power device constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 is a view in top plan of the device as disclosed in Fig. 1: Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, 1 denotes a driving shaft coupled with any suitable source of power and operatively engaged with the driven shaft 2 of my improved device through the medium of a conventional pawl and ratchet clutch 3', for a purpose which will hereinafter be selfevident. As herein disclosed, the shaft 2 is operatively supported by the uprights 3 anchored to the base plate 4. Fixed to the shaft 2 in spaced relation are the toothed wheels 5 with which are adapted to coact the elongated members 6 pivotally engaged with the shaft 2 and capable of movement independently thereof. Each of the elongated members 6 is provided with a laterally disposed tooth or finger 7 adapted to engage the teeth of the coacting wheel 5 whereby said wheel will be caused to rotate upon depression or downward movement of the elongated members 6, and in order that such tooth or finger 7 may be readily disengage-d from the teeth of the wheel 5, I find it of advantage to have the shaft 2 disposed through an elongated longitudinally disposed opening 8 produced in the inner eX- tremity of the elongated member, for a pur pose which is believed to be clearly apparent.

As herein embodied, the elongated members 6 are adapted to be moved downwardly through the influence of the retractable members 9, herein disclosed as coil springs, the lower extremities whereof being suitably anchored to the base plate 4 while the opposite extremities thereof are suitably secured to the elongated members 6 at predetermined points intermediate the lengths thereof, and it is to be observed that the elongated members 6 are so disposed as to move in unison but in reverse directions whereby a substantially continuous rotary influence may be had upon the shaft 2 and whereby it will be perceived that the speed of the shaft 2 at intervals will be materially increased. It is to be observed that when the springs 9 balance, the continued movement of the lever 6 will be caused by the driving shaft 2 as provided for by the ratchet clutch 3'. Also projecting upwardly from the base plate 4 are the uprights 10 rotatably supporting a counter shaft 11 on which is fixed the gear wheel 12 in mesh with the large driving gear 14 suitably fixed to the shaft 2. The shaft 11 has also fixed to one end thereof a pulley 15 and at its opposite end the fly wheel 16. Projecting upwardly from the opposite extremities of the base plate 4 are the spaced columns 17 having their upper extremities tied or connected by the rod or shaft 18 on which are loosely mounted the pulleys 19, such pulleys serving as guides for the flexible members 20, the flexible members 20 being secured at one extremity to the outer end portions of the rods 6 and at their opposite extremities t0 the drums 21.

As herein set forth, the drums 21 are loosely mounted on the shaft 22 supported by certain of the uprights, and said shaft 22 has affixed thereto a gear 23 in mesh with a gear 24 carried by the shaft 2. The opposed aot the clutch member 26 mounted forrslidl ing movement upon the shafta22 but adapted to rotate therewith. The member 26 is adapted to be moved longitudinally of the shaft 22 through the medium of the fork 27 coacting with the member 26 in a conventional way and carried by the arm 28 projecting at substantially right angles from the lever 29 pivotally engaged with the cross bar 30 connecting certain of the uprights 3 and adapted for rocking movement transversely of the frame 4. T he arm 29 is provided adjacent its upper extremity with the laterally disposed'and oppositely directed cam members 31 which overlie the path of travel of the elongated member 6 and are adapted'to be engaged thereby as said members move upwardly whereby it will be readily perceived that the lever 29 is thrown from one side to the other and thus cause the requisite engagement of the clutch member 26 with the drums 21 whereby one of such drums will cause one of the elongated members 6 to be raised while the second elongated member 6 is moving downwardly under the influence of its coacting retractable member 9.

In operation, the shaft 2 is adapted to be continuously rotated by the driving shaft 1 and the shaft 2 will rotate intermittently and at increased speeds under the influence of the descending movement of the lever 6 under the tension of the springs 9, and the levers 6 are caused to complete their movements upon the decrease of the speed of the shaft 2 by the clutch 3 coacting with the shafts l and 2.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a power device constructed in accordance with my invention is of an extremely simple and comparatively inexpensive nature and is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptibleof some change and modification without material departure from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice.

I claim:

A device of the character described comprising a shaft provided with toothed wheels, elongated members pivotally supported by said shaft and provided with means to engage the toothedwheels, a second shaft, an operative connection between both of said shafts whereby the same may be caused to rotate simultaneously, drums loosely mounted on the shafts, flexible connections between the upper extremities of the elongated members and the drums, a clutch slidably supported upon the second shaft intermediate the drums, and means under control of the elongated members for causing said clutch to alternately engage the drums.

In testimcny'whereof I hereunto aifix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

J. W. CANNON, JNo. A. PRATT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patent Washington, D. 0. V r i 

